VEENA

Veena is a stringed instrument. It consists of a large body
hollowed out of a block of wood. The stem of the instrument is also made of
wood. The bridge is placed on the flat top of the body of the veena and the
neck attached to the stem is usually carved into weird figure like the head
of the dragon.

A gourd which is smaller than the rounded part of the body
is fixed underneath the neck. Twenty one metallic frets are fixed on the stem
by means of a resinous substance.

The veena has seven strings. Of them four are main strings
that pass over the frets and are attached to the pegs of the neck. The other
strings are used as side strings for rhythmic accompaniment. These strings
pass over an arched bridge made of brass. They lie flat over the top of the
body and are secured to the main bridge.

The
veena is played by sitting cross-legged upon the floor and holding the veena
in front. The small gourd on the left touch the left thigh, the left arm passing
round the stem so that the fingers rest easily upon the frets. The main body
of the instrument is placed on the ground, partially supported by the right
thigh.

There
are different varieties of veena. Some of them are Mahanataka veena, Saraswati
veena, Rudra veena, Vichitra veena etc. Saraswati veena is known as the queen
of veena's.